Google Page Layout Algorithm Update: Everything You Need to Know

Do you want to save your ass from the dirty hands of Google algorithm?

Well everyone wants to save their precious blogs and content from Google algorithm updates.
In 2012 Google rolled out an algorithm update called, “Google Page Layout update.” Even after many years, people are not aware of it and how it has affected the web search.

Google Page Layout Update: Everything You Need to Know: eAskme

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I have been asked by many people even today about Google page layout algorithm update.

So I have decided to share everything that you need to know about Google page layout update.

Google Page Layout Algorithm:

The primary focus of Google is always on improving the user experience and improving the on-page SEO strategies.

In 2012, Google rolled out the page algorithm update to target website with hell lot of ads, especially above the fold. Too many ads are not suitable for user experience as the visitor has to scroll down a lot to reach the main content.

This Google algorithm has hurt the 1% of the total website in Google search database and forced the webmasters to rebuild their sites for an excellent user experience.

Remember: This update has nothing to do with overlay ads or popups.

Above the fold/Page layout Google algorithm update timeline:

Now let's see how this algorithm has made its way to hurt the sites with the poor user experience.

1) Page Layout Algorithm Launched on 19th January 2012:

For the very first time on January 19, 2012, Google has introduced very first-page layout algorithm update. That time it was called, “Above the fold algorithm update” or “Top Heavy algorithm update.” It has made a severe hit on the sites with too many ads above the fold.

2) The new version of Page Layout Algorithm Update launched on 9th October 2012:

On 9th October 2012, Matt cuts have announced on his Twitter about the launch of new version of Google Page layout algorithm update. It has affected 0.7% English queries. 

This update has given a chance to the websites to recover that has hit the previous version of Google page layout update.

3) Google Page Layout Algorithm Refresh on 6th Feb 2014:

This time page layout algorithm was launched to refresh the algorithm and update the Google index.

4) Automated Algorithm:

On November 1, 2016, Google has made it clear that now the algorithm is the automatic part of Google search. It will hurt your site if anytime you will cause poor user experience or have too many ads above the fold.

Google has also cleared that now they have not to wait for a manual update as Google will automatically detect the changes in the webpage.

What happened to the sites Impacted by Google Page Layout Algorithm:

With these four updates, Google has made it clear that it will not tolerate too many ads above the fold. It has affected less than 1% sites.

The good thing is that these updates have forced the webmasters to focus on user experience rather than just populating the site with ads.

Webmasters have changed the site according to the Google policies, and it has benefitted not just the visitor but also the webmaster.

How to recover from page Layout Algorithm update:

When it comes to Google algorithm updates, what hurt the most is that it throws your tested and true strategies out of the window.

There is no doubt that only 1% sites were affected by this update but what if it was your site?

Here I am telling you that how a webmaster can recover from Google Page Layout Update penalty:

Check your blog or website in various device screen resolution to find out what you will see above the fold at different resolutions.

Now just wait for the Google to re-crawl your site.

What was the Impact of Page Layout Algorithm:

With this updates, Google has again clearly stated that the primary focus of search engine giant is to deliver the best quality and user-friendly results at the top.

Officail Google webmaster blog has also talked about this algorithm.

It is the job of a webmaster to look at the above the fold content and manage it according to the various device resolutions. For the mobile design of your blog, you have to work more as on mobile a user has to do more scrolling than a pc or laptop.

Final Words:

There is a thin line between keeping readers engaged with your blog and making it profitable. The Google Page Layout Algorithm has taught us that Google always keeps an eye on what we are doing with the content and above the fold ads. If you also have too many ads above the fold, then it is the time that you should fix it before Google hurt your blog.

If you still have any question, feel free to ask via comments.

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